December 27, 2015 Oklahoma City, Ok. During a very stormy evening an eighty year old woman called the Oklahoma City Police Department very afraid of what she would do if her power went out during the terrible storm that they were having. Sleet, Ice and extremely strong winds had already accounted for many power outages in the area and she was very fearful. Sgt. Wilner Laguerre reviewed the call and understood the woman’s concerns and showed extraordinary compassion.

Police officers are trained to observe, but their greatest abilities are when they observe human nature and Sgt. Wilner Laguerre understood that the woman was afraid and he Protected and Served the woman while calming her in the most reassuring way imaginable. From the Oklahoma City Police Departments facebook page the following was captured:

Sunday night, Oklahoma City saw a round of winter weather that included sleet, ice and extremely strong winds. Numerous power outages were reported throughout the metro area. Around 10pm, Ms. Ross called police to ask for help. She is 80 years old, and lives alone…and was worried about what would happen if she lost power.

Sgt. Wilner Laguerre was the officer who received this call. After calling Ms. Ross on the phone to check her welfare, Sgt. Laguerre insisted on going out to her residence…after he detected fear and panic in her voice. Sgt. Laguerre made an immediate connection with the retired school teacher and learned that she speaks French, as does he. He tried to reassure and calm her by explaining that many other people in the area were in the same situation and that she would be fine until the power returned. He ended up searching her home (in the dark and with her approval) and providing her with a working flashlight, candles and matches.

Ms. Ross was still upset and concerned that her cordless phone would not work during a power outage and that she had no way to call for help again if needed. This was her only form of communication with the outside world. Sgt. Laguerre left the residence and traveled to a couple of Walmart stores until he located a simple land-line phone. He purchased the phone with his own money and returned to the elderly woman’s home where he located a working phone jack, installed the phone and showed her how to use it.

This is a shining example of true service to one’s community. Way to go Sgt. Laguerre.